Transcript Highlights:

• In 1988 Congress adopted the Exxon Florio Amendment to the Defense Production Act, granting the President
• stands as an obstacle. to an accomplishment and execution of the full purposes and objectives of Congress
• Furthermore, Congress has repeatedly revisited and expanded CFIA's authority, and it could choose to

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• And our friends in Congress could certainly ...take that into account in calculating Social Security
• same provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, ignoring benefits that the federal government and Congress
• yeah, the one other thing that I'll just add briefly on bonus depreciation: every other time that Congress
• In the One Big Beautiful Bill, Congress now made it permanent, 100% expensing at the federal level.
• Congress now made it permanent, permanent 100% expensing at the federal level.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee considered a large agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and a trust for Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, and CS/CS/SB 1266, which creates a cybersecurity experiential learning and clearance-readiness program through the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida. The committee also approved SB 532 on clerks of court funding, allowing clerks to retain all excess Article V revenue rather than returning half to the state and clarifying foreclosure sale procedures. In addition, the committee passed CS/CS/SB 1602 and CS/CS/SB 1604 to create and fund a pilot housing program for veterans through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and CS/SB 1110 to expand Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including testimony from affected families and advocates. The committee also adopted an amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/SB 1012 on inmate services, removing the bill’s medical-services compensation provisions while retaining changes to the inmate welfare trust fund and related facility uses. It also adopted a delete-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/CS/SB 1614, which was narrowed to remove a provision allowing local governments to use excess fees to construct new buildings. The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 17, a Medicaid oversight and transparency bill. The sponsor said the measure would create a joint legislative Medicaid oversight committee, authorize the Legislature to retain its own actuary, modernize Medicaid statutes, strengthen managed-care performance standards, and increase accountability for pharmacy benefit managers and related entities. After amendment, the committee adopted changes removing several PBM-related provisions while retaining the broader oversight framework. Testimony from supporters emphasized transparency, fraud prevention, and cost control, while a PBM trade association asked to continue working on affiliate-manufacturer, network, and payment issues. The bill was reported favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on CS/SB 1758, which proposes major changes to Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described five reforms: stronger fraud and overpayment recovery authority, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral-health services through Medicaid waivers, pharmacy-program changes to obtain rebates and reduce institutional costs, and SNAP/EBT reforms including photo IDs and work requirements. The committee adopted two amendments: one adding a transitional “glide path” for people who gain employment but risk losing Medicaid, and another exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud, improve accountability, and encourage work, while opponents warned it would increase administrative burdens, push eligible people off coverage, and conflict with federal law or guidance. The bill remained under debate with extensive public testimony from advocates, providers, and affected families, and the transcript ends before final disposition on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas the United States Congress passed the landmark Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 to sustain a
• And whereas the United States Congress passed the landmark Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 to sustain a
• A joint resolution requesting Congress recognize the protection of Wyoming's freedom of access of public

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• governmental entities, and even here in the state of Texas, we had various legislation passed by Congress
• The fat cats in Congress. Maybe they are, and maybe they're not just some wasteful middlemen.

Bills: SB 10, SB 8, SB 15, SB 12, SB 6, SB 13, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB10, SB8, SB15, SB12, SB6, SB13, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, criminal prosecution, jurisdiction, hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids

Transcript Highlights:

• All we're doing is memorializing the United States Congress to research treatment methods for acute myeloid

Bills: SB237

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the May 13 minutes. The committee quickly reported several bills favorably, including SB 1224, which requires DCFS review when a pregnancy involves a child under 17 and makes children under 12 a child in need of care; SB 1100, which repeals an old statute on unenriched bread; HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify certain provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners; HB 1231, clarifying that continuous glucose monitoring is covered through Medicaid for any insulin-dependent diabetic, including gestational diabetes; and HB 198, setting reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures. The committee also adopted a personal privilege welcome for physicians on White Coat Day and repeatedly noted that several bills were being advanced with the understanding that further work might continue before floor debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1160, which would create a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical school graduates, especially for rural and shortage areas. Committee members pressed the Board of Medical Examiners about delays in promulgating rules under an earlier 2024 law and objected to rule language they said went beyond the statute. Board representatives acknowledged a misunderstanding about the original bill’s intent and said the program had been operating, but members warned against agencies writing rules that contradict enacted law. Despite the criticism, HB 1160 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably HCR 67, which creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children, following emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s death and the lack of appropriate care options. The committee then approved HCR 27, calling for a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services by the Department of Health and Department of Education, with testimony emphasizing rising diagnosis rates, rural provider shortages, and the need for better data and coordination between medical and school-based services. HCR 28, which would study school nurse orientation and training, was also reported favorably after school nurses described the lack of standardized onboarding for new graduates and the risks of placing them alone in schools without adequate supervision. HB 469, which would have allowed pharmacy license renewal fees to be directed to Xavier University’s pharmacy school as well as public schools, was deferred after concerns about diverting funds from public institutions and the absence of testimony from affected schools. The committee also took up HB 223, which recreates DCFS, and adopted an amendment shortening the sunset date and requiring law enforcement reports to be accepted through a secure web-based platform; the bill was then reported favorably as amended. Another major discussion centered on HB 457 and HB 616, both tied to homelessness. HB 457, establishing minimum standards for shelters and related facilities, was reported favorably as amended after sponsor testimony and support cards. HB 616, which would allow the legislative auditor and local officials access to records and databases for audits of homelessness initiatives, drew extensive debate over privacy, federal funding, and accountability. Supporters cited a 2025 audit showing more than $216 million in federal homelessness spending in New Orleans and argued that auditors need access to performance data to detect waste and abuse; opponents warned about client privacy and the impact of funding cutoffs. The committee adopted an amendment changing permissive language to mandatory language for enforcement and then continued hearing testimony, with the discussion still centered on balancing oversight with confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee meeting I felt like I whenever year that was when the tobacco company executives lied to Congress
• a wide and often unpredictable range of symptoms, including numbness, weakness, vision problems, memory

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Congress is right in line there in D.C. So good stuff there.
• here as educators, parents, and on behalf of Evan's Voice, which is a nonprofit that we founded in memory

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael Sheedy Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops waiving in support and the young American Congress
• support and just ideas and concepts on their you honor your sister through your diligence in her memory

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has a relation to the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Visually Disabled
• like... collections, where they work with aging Texans with a guided conversation. to help spark a memory

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public places, Congress Avenue, they don't get to use them. So these diversion centers.
• We would very much like to see our federal Congress tighten that down a little bit.
• I'll get to her, but by and large, the people you're dealing with who are, again, on Congress Avenue
• But would it be a potential of not necessarily being fully funded by our legislature, but by Congress
• Since then, I've spoken at our state capital, spoken before Congress, and advocated for foster youth

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress has been aware of them. and has done nothing to amend or change these bills. So, Mr.
• And because Congress, because presidential administrations haven't changed section 1623A it's telling
• The purpose of the council was to create a form used by memory care providers, which was completed.

Bills: SB1687, HB1687, HB4431, HB2894, HB2979, HB3262, HB3298, HB3369, HB3431, HB3462, SB1226, SB1876, SB1916, SB1920, HB3467, HB3498, HB3500, HB3521, HB3581, HB3650, HB3673, HB3764, HB3767, HB3781, HB3800, HB3831, HB3834, HB3941, HB2749, HB3970, HB3972, HB3979, HB3980, HB3981, HB3996, HB4095, HB4104, HB4191, HB4248, HB4298, HB4338, HB4427, HB4428, HJR1023, HB3660, HB3718, HB4326, HB3443, HB3880, HB3649, HB3000, SB1651, SB504, SB372, SB1326, SB1633, SB248, SB1242, SB1238, SB423, SB1989, SB1286, SB904, SB1213, SB1216, SB1827, SB65, SB1390, SB259, SB1944, SB540, SB2139, SB346, SB1595, SB1400, SB1555, SB1209, SB2110, SB1670, SB1061, SB2104, HR1057, SB1946, SB1734, SB1316, SB1360, SB1557, SB1684, SB2049, SB1410, SB2011, SB1437, SB1204, SB1732, SB1775, SB2084, SB1380, SB1572, SB1772, SB1224, SB710, SB1338, SB1266, SB1303, SB1307, SB1562, SB1794, SB1191, SB1983, SB1832, SB1448, SB1534, SB1593, SB1597, SB1630, SB1489, SB1726, SB1796, SB1806, SB1877, SB1451, SB1553, SB1632, SB1423, SB1425, SB1502, SB2180, SB1725, SB2182, HB3003, HB3004, HB4434, HB4324, HB4342, HB2137, HB4432, SJR50, SJR52, SJR53

Keywords: driver licenses, exam proctor, Service Oklahoma, commercial training, background checks, advance directive, advance health care directive, health care proxy, medical power of attorney, durable power of attorney for health care, living will, surrogate decision-maker, default surrogate, health care agent, capacity determination, supported decision making, mental health directive, psychiatric advance directive, end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• You have the Santa Fe 10 memorial that is in there, and then an expansion of funding for food security
• To see what active Congress has filed on that.
• During the interim, Congress did something good.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the San Juan Southern Paiute to use in an Indian water rights settlement that is sitting in Congress
• tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute to use an Indian water rights settlement that is sitting in Congress
• That settlement was introduced in the last Congress.
• The four Upper Basin states are blocking that settlement from moving through Congress.
• Currently, Congress does have a controversially mandated framework for SRM.

Bills: HB2042, HB2052, HB2055, HB2056, HB2094, HB2098, HB2185, HB2328, HB2758, HB2798

Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources

Summary: The committee first received an update from Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzky on Colorado River negotiations and post-2026 operating rules. He described the legal framework governing Arizona’s allocation, argued that Arizona and the lower basin have already made substantial conservation cuts, and said the upper basin is pressing positions Arizona views as inconsistent with prior Supreme Court rulings. He emphasized the need to move water from upstream reservoirs to Lake Mead, warned of continued shortage risk, and said the state is seeking an equitable deal through ongoing federal and interstate negotiations. Members asked about outside water use, tourism and recreation impacts, and tribal water rights, including the Navajo-Hopi-San Juan Southern Paiute settlement. Buschatzky said the state’s delegation and bipartisan support have been helpful and urged continued public and legislative backing. The committee then heard House Bill 2758, which would expand McMullen Valley groundwater transportation authority and add related requirements and guardrails, including an amendment increasing the La Paz County transportation cap from 10% to 50% of the annual volume and adding conditions for sales or leases from historically irrigated acres. Supporters, including bill sponsor advocates, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, and the Home Builders Association, said the bill would create a lawful, regulated transfer option similar to the Harquahala model, support housing growth, and include oversight through hydrologic studies, pumping limits, and monthly reporting to ADWR. Opponents, including La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin’s statement, local residents, Sierra Club, and rural advocates, argued the bill would accelerate aquifer depletion, harm private wells and subsidence conditions, and benefit a New York hedge fund at the expense of rural communities. After debate, the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and then passed HB 2758 as amended on a 6-4 due-pass vote. The committee next took up House Bill 2098, which would modify bonding authority and public hearing notice requirements for county water augmentation authorities and allow local repayment agreements with WIFA. Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Miller and other supporters said the bill would clean up statutory language so the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority can finance future water augmentation and infrastructure projects, including potential Bartlett Dam-related work, and better prepare for future Colorado River uncertainty. The Home Builders Association also supported the bill, saying it included proportionality protections for private utility water charges. The bill was moved for a due-pass recommendation and the committee proceeded to a roll call vote, with the transcript ending before the final vote result was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress, our members are not allowed to see direct donations from corporations, but corporations could
• And I thought Congress prohibits it if the owner is foreign-origin, even if it was incorporated in the
• clearly and unequivocally puts California on the record in opposing the executive order and calls on Congress

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several measures, beginning with SCA 5, Senator Cortese’s proposal to create an Equalization Reserve Account to help reduce long-standing per-pupil funding disparities between basic aid and non-basic aid school districts. Supporters, including education leaders and school employees, argued the measure would provide a stable, long-term funding source to improve student services and staffing. Charter school representatives opposed the bill, saying it excluded charter schools from the benefits and could raise equal protection concerns. Senator Cortese responded that the bill only addresses district funding and does not alter charter funding formulas. After quorum was established, SCA 5 was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard S.J.R. 18, a resolution by Senator McNerney condemning the Citizens United decision and urging limits on corporate influence in elections. The author argued that corporate and dark money have overwhelmed campaign finance and weakened public trust. There was no formal witness testimony in support or opposition, and members discussed the resolution’s symbolic nature and its relationship to free speech and campaign finance rules. The resolution was adopted and referred onward. The committee then took up ACA 7, Assembly Member Jackson’s constitutional amendment to clarify Proposition 209 and allow more race-conscious tools in education to address racial equity gaps. Supporters said current law prevents targeted, evidence-based interventions and that the measure would help close persistent disparities; opponents argued it would weaken Prop. 209, invite discrimination, and likely fail at the ballot or in court. After extensive debate, the measure was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. The committee next heard ACA 18, which would add a second student voting seat to the University of California Board of Regents, ensuring both undergraduate and graduate student representation. The author and student regent witnesses said the UC board is the only major higher education governing board in California with just one student vote, and that more student representation would improve decision-making and reflect the student body. The measure drew support from student organizations and was approved. Finally, AJR 29 was heard, opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail administration and defending California’s mail voting system as safe and secure. The author said the order would improperly interfere with state election administration. The resolution was adopted. Items 3 and 4 on consent were also approved, and the committee adjourned after all agenda items were acted upon.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislators on the Hill, we were able to get the tax-exempt bonds for spaceports passed through Congress
• And I will tell you that it's already had an... ...through Congress.
• And many of you know we've walked the halls of the federal Congress many, many times, as well as around

Summary: The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year. Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership. Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• It begs the question, what doesn't the Army want Congress or the American people to know about why it
• a rare exemption used only infrequently to later only find out that it had issued a statement to Congress
• We will continue to work transparently with our regulators and with Congress.

Keywords: Boeing, aviation safety, safety management system, military aviation, air traffic control, transparency, oversight, accountability

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on significant safety concerns surrounding Boeing and its compliance with federal aviation standards. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the Army's failure to provide requested operational transparency regarding helicopter operations near Washington, D.C., amid recent incidents indicating a strained air traffic control situation. Several members called for reform in Boeing's oversight, emphasizing the need for a robust safety culture and mandatory safety management systems to prevent future disasters like the 737 MAX crashes. The discussions were passionate, with survivors and families impacted by past accidents present, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress. The FCC was required to look into and address the cost of communications.
• Ultimately, Congress required the FCC to do rule-making around the cost of these calls.
• And I think there has been concern, obviously the concern of Congress. was the fact that the costs were

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, the Elizabeth Warren and a group of other members of Congress have just written a letter to
• Actually, the Elizabeth Warren and a group of other members of Congress have just written a letter to

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities subcommittee on Disability Employment approved the prior meeting minutes, welcomed new commission member Victoria Gill, and heard an opening quote on leadership before moving to presentations and planning. The main presentation was from Kristen Grip and Katie McCarthy of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Disability Alliance employee-led group, which described its mission to build an inclusive workplace through education, community-building, and advocacy. They discussed monthly disability-awareness programming, intersectional events, accommodation and accessibility efforts, internal ableism, universal design, and BCH’s recognition in the 2025 Disability Equality Index. They also described their own lived experience and emphasized that employees with disabilities should lead disability-related workplace efforts. Committee members asked how to start a disability employee resource group and what external partnerships might help. The presenters said BCH’s HR diversity team helped launch the group over about a year, and members noted related resources, including a Work Without Limits guide and possible connections with Spalding Rehabilitation and other hospitals. The committee also discussed BCH’s continued support for disability inclusion work despite broader political pressure, and members praised the hospital’s efforts and offered to share additional contacts and resources. The subcommittee then turned to possible collaboration with SEED, the State Exchange on Employment and Disability, on Massachusetts as a model employer and benefit cliff analysis work. Members agreed SEED could help with policy framing, comparative data, stakeholder education, and youth disability employment efforts, and they approved inviting SEED to brief the subcommittee in January or February. The group also discussed possible links to CAPE-Youth, Commonwealth HR and DEI offices, and a future partnership with the Office of the Veterans Advocate. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prayer today will be the closing part of the first prayer of the Continental Congress in 1774.
• the Council of the Cherokee Nation, Johnny Jack Kiddwell, we have a Cherokee Nation delegate to Congress

Bills: HB3976, HB3000, HB3001, HB3003, HB3004, HB3066, HB3904, HB3644, HB1687, HB3920, SR40

Keywords: rural hospitals, small hospitals, grant program, healthcare funding, Oklahoma health department, cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics

Transcript Highlights:

• You are allowed to impugn members of Congress, but not members of this body. Thank you, Mr.
• Congress, but non-members of this body. Thank you, Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. I impugn nobody.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and a series of guest and doctor introductions. Members recognized visitors for a range of advocacy and community events, including Children’s Health Advocacy Day, Jewish Advocacy Day, housing affordability advocates, environmental advocates for Lobo Week, and several constituent and youth groups. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement honoring Dr. Leah Hillier as Doctor of the Day and several remarks about community organizations and guests in the gallery. The House then received Senate messages and committee referrals, including multiple Senate bills and a concurrent resolution being assigned or withdrawn from committees. In Committee of the Whole, SB 1415 was recommended do pass, and SB 1430 was recommended do pass as amended after a Ways and Means amendment was adopted to remove a controversial provision so the measure would remain limited to tax code corrections. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the bills were deferred for engrossing; SB 1193 was retained on the calendar. On third reading, the House passed HB 2680, relating to workers’ compensation, by a vote of 55-1 with four not voting, and passed SB 1029, relating to campaign contributions and expenses, by a vote of 57-0 with three not voting. Later, the chamber heard extended personal privilege remarks on federal issues, including the government shutdown, TSA and ICE at airports, immigration enforcement, and state budget negotiations. The House also recognized Lobo Week and received announcements about upcoming committee meetings and a CAP update, then adjourned until Tuesday, March 24, 2026.